Some of the cases referred to the National Prosecuting Authority by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) were not court-ready.

The National Director of Public Prosecutions, Shamila Batohi, and her team have briefed the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) on these cases.

The NPA is under growing pressure to speed up its pace in prosecuting cases that have been referred to it, including those related to Apartheid-era crimes. The SIU’s report on Covid-19 related corruption and the Zondo Commission of Inquiry’s two reports have all implicated key figures in dubious deals.

“Over the next six months,  NPA will prioritise corruption cases. But it won’t be targeting politicians accused of corruption unless there is strong evidence to support a prosecution,” said Batohi.

However, these cases must first be investigated by the NPA and Hawks.